Joel Lawrence Coffey, Jr.

Joel Lawrence Coffey, Jr.

Joel Lawrence Coffey, Jr., was the first son and second child born to Joel Lawrence, Sr. and Myrtle Watson Coffey.

A short bio for Jr. appeared in the Watauga Democrat newspaper on Nov. 11, 2011 and relates a part of his adventures during WW2 in the European Theater of Operations. The item, written by Sherrie Norris tells how he came to earn those medals you see spread before him. His obituary provides a bit more information.

I recognize some of the decorations.  He earned the (l-r) Bronze Star medal with two oak leaf clusters; a Purple Heart for wounds that got him sent back to England for treatment; a Germany Occupation Medal; WWII Victory Medal; a Good Conduct Medal and a European Theater of Operation medal.  I have been unable to identify the  center medal.

Also shown in the photograph is his CBI or  Combat Infantryman's Badge.

Joel descends from Edward Coffey and Ann Powell through their son John and his wife Jane Graves; their son Reuben and wife Sarah Scott; Jesse and wife Peggy Edmisten; their son Reuben and Rachel Hayes; Jesse Calton and wife Nancy Raines; Thos. Carlton and wife Martha Cook and finally, his father, Joel, Sr.

Joel died Nov. 5, 2014 in Boone, Watauga Co., and was buried at Laurel Springs Baptist Church Cemetery at Deep Gap, Watauga Co.

HIS OBITUARY

Obituary, The Watauga Democrat, Boone, NC, Fri., Nov. 7, 2014

Joel L. Coffey, 90, of Deep Gap, passed away Wednesday evening, Nov. 5, 2014, at Watauga Medical Center. 

Joel was born January 13, 1924, in Watauga County, a son of the late Joe L. Coffey and Myrtle Watson Coffey. He was a retired rural mail carrier and a lifetime member, past superintendent, and deacon of Laurel Springs Baptist Church. Joel served in the U.S. Army during World War II, fighting in the Battle of the Bulge, and received two Purple Hearts and two Bronze Stars. He was also a charter member of the Deep Gap Volunteer Fire Department, where he retired as chaplain. 

Joel is survived by his wife, Geraldine "Gerry" Coffey* of the home; one son, Michael Thomas Coffey, Sr. and wife, Mary Alice, of Deep Gap; one daughter, Brenda Coffey Farthing and husband, Len B., of Vilas; one step-daughter, Jane Ragan Pignolet and husband, Mark, of Braselton, Ga.; one granddaughter, Amanda Farthing Huff and husband, Todd, of Deep Gap; two grandsons, Michael T. Coffey, Jr. of Sanford, and Joel Farthing and wife, Nicole, of Vilas; five great-grandchildren, Jackson, Walker, Ella, Colt and Hattie Mae; one step-granddaughter, Amy Ragan Grady and husband, Gary, of Kettering, Ohio, as well as their children, Ragan and Riley. He is also survived by a number of nieces and nephews. 

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his first wife, Gaye Warren Coffey; and three sisters, Louis Cary, Margaret Lane, and Sue Craig. 

Funeral services for Mr. Joel L. Coffey will be conducted at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 8, 2014, at Laurel Springs Baptist Church. The body will lie in state, at the church, from 1 until 2 p.m. Officiating will be Pastor Tim Lynch. Military graveside rites and burial, provided by American Legion Post 130 and Disabled American Veterans Chapter 90, will follow in Laurel Springs Baptist Church Cemetery. 

The family will receive friends Friday, from 6 until 9 p.m. at Hampton Funeral Service. 

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Laurel Springs Baptist Church Cemetery Fund, c/o Stewart Rhymer, 6596 Old US Hwy 421, Deep Gap, NC, 28618; Disabled American Veterans Chapter 90, PO Box 2914, Boone, NC 28607; American Heart Association, 128 South Tryon Street, Suite 1588, Charlotte, NC, 28202; or to a charity of the donors choice. 

Online condolences may be sent to the Coffey family at www.hamptonfuneralnc.com. 

Click on this Watauga Democrat link to read his story.

*Geraldine was his second wife.  His first wife was Laura Gaye Warren to whom he was married on Jul. 18, 1949.  Laura died on Dec. 10, 1966 and is also buried at Laurel Springs.

Gilliam Wyatt & Sarah Jane Isenhower Coffey

In February of this year I wrote a short family history of Larkin and Sibby Wyatt Coffey. In that blog I touched on their son Gilliam Wyatt Coffey and his wife Sarah Jane Isenhower.

Sarah Jane was the daughter of Joseph Isenhour [sic] and wife Lettie, and was born in Jan., 1854 in North Carolina.  She and Gilliam were married on Jan. 10, 1875 in the Yadkin Valley of North Carolina.  Later that year, on Nov. 14, Sarah's widower father and Gilliam's widowed mother also married.

Gilliam and Sarah remained in and around Caldwell and Watauga Counties until sometime after 1900 when they headed west to Washington state.  Gilliam died in Omak, Okanogan Co., WA on May 22, 1914.  Sarah followed in 1928 and both are buried at the City Cemetery in Okanogan city.

Their children were:

Candes Lowellen or Candus, depending on which records you choose, was born in Watauga Co. in May, 1877 and died in Omak on Jul. 15, 1942.  She married Lee L. Cook c1897 in NC.  Lee was born in that state in Apr., 1871 and died in WA on Oct. 18, 1957.  There were no known children born to this union.  Very shortly after Candes' death Lee married a lady named Bessie.  She died shortly thereafter and he married a lady named Julia Ann, who outlived him and died in 1978.  All are buried the Okanogan City Cemetery.

The next three children of Gilliam and Sarah were:  Sidney, born 1878; Etta, born Feb., 1880; and Martha J., born Mar., 1882.  I have no further information on any of these children.

William Larkin was child number four, born in Jun., 1884.  William married Emma J. Lingle, a daughter of J. Monroe and Frances J. Sullivan Lingle, about 1907 in NC.  Emma was born in that state in Dec., 1886 and died in Okanogan Co., WA on Nov. 12, 1969.  William died Jun. 11, 1968 and both are buried at the Okanogan City Cemetery.  He and Emma had at least four children:  Ethel, born c1908 in NC; Edna Y., born 1912 in WA; John Albert, born 1915 in WA and James Edward, born 1919, also in WA.  Edna married Frances H. "Frank" Nickell, a son of David Franklin and Jaqueline Fulton Nickell, on Aug. 15, 1934 in Okanogan Co..  Frank died in 2002; Edna just a few days ago on Aug. 17, 2012 in Spokane.  In 1947, James Edward married Ellen J. Dinger, daughter of Anton and Mary Dinger.  James died Jul. 3, 1998 in Omak and Ellen died Feb., 28, 2006, also in Omak.  Both are buried at Okanogan Valley Memorial Gardens with their only known son, John Allen Coffey, born Dec. 8, 1951, died Aug. 7, 1980.

Child number five was Joseph Monroe, born Feb. 23, 1887 at Shulls Mill in Watauga Co., died  Jun. 5, 1958 in Okanogan.  He married a lady by the name of Neata [sic] E., born 1889 in TN, died on Okanogan Co. in 1927.  Their only known child, a daughter, Letha Mae was born May 19, 1920 in Washington and died Feb. 8, 2012 at Wenatchee in Chelan Co., WA.  Letha married Glenn Arthur Payne on Sep. 21, 1940 in Okanogan Co.  Glenn was born Jun. 26, 1917 in WA and died in Omak on Sep. 5, 1994.  Both are buried at Okanogan Valley.

Number six was Minnie Lee, born Jul. 31, 1890 at Blowing Rock, died Pateros, Okanogan Co. on Dec. 2, 1972.  Minnie was first married to Charles Martin Harrell on Jun. 30, 1911 in Okahogan and, he died 6 years later in 1917.  Their marriage produced two known children, Leda Ruby, born Apr. 26, 1912, died Oct. 6, 2002 and, Doris Jane, born Dec. 8, 1913, died Feb. 10, 1999, both in Okanogan Co.  Minnie's second husband was also twice married George Walter Brownlee.  His first wife was Pearl Best of South Dakota and who died in Pateros in 1909.  They were parents of David, Walter and Robert.  Minnie and George were married on Okanogan Co. in 1919 and are known to have had at least two children:  John Charles, born 1924, died 2003 at Wenatchee and, Grace, born c1928.

Gilliam and Sarah's last known child was Ethel M., born Oct., 1894 in NC.  No further information is known about her.

Larkin & Sibby Wyatt Coffey

Larkin Coffey was a son of Thomas and Nancy Barlow Coffey, born c1832 in Wilkes Co., NC.  He married Sibby Wyatt on Nov. 28, 1853 in Wilkes Co. and died in TN in 1863. Some sources report that he died from complications of measles while others report he died of diptheria, while serving with the CSA in La Follette, Campbell Co., TN.  I have not found any proof to substantiate this, however.

What is known is that he and Sibby Wyatt, a daughter of Solomon and Polly Wyatt, were parents of at least four children:  Gilliam Wyatt, Sarah Lou Ellen, John Nelson and Mary Ann.

Gilliam, born in North Carolina - probably Caldwell Co. - in Mar., 1854, married Sarah Jane Isenhower (var.) on Jan. 10, 1875 in Caldwell Co.  Sarah, the daughter of Joseph who later became Gilliam's step-father, was born in NC in Jan., 1854 and died in Okanogan Co., WA in 1928.  Gilliam died there in 1913.

Their children, all born in NC, were:

Candes L., born May 1877, married Lee L. Cook c1897.  Lee was born in Apr., 1871 in NC.

Sidney G. S., born c1878

Etta Cordelia "Cordie," born Feb., 1880

Martha J., born Mar., 1882

William Larkin, born Jun., 1884, died Jun. 11, 1968 in Omak, Okanogan Co., WA.  William married Emma J. Lingle c1907 in NC.  She was a daughter of J. Monroe and Frances J. Sullivan Lingle.  She and William were parents of Ethel M, born NC; Edna Y., born c1912 in WA; John Albert, born Jun. 29, 1915 in WA, died in Okanogan Co. on Oct. 14, 2003; and James Edward, born Dec. 17, 1919 in WA, died Jul. 3, 1998 in Okanogan Co.  James Edward married Ellen J. Dinger in Spokane, WA in 1947.  They had at least one child, John Allen Coffey, born Dec. 8, 1951 in Okanogan and died there on Aug. 7, 1980.

Joseph Monroe, born Feb. 23, 1887 at Shulls Mill in Watauga Co., NC, died in Okanogan on Jun. 5, 1958.

Minnie Lee, born Jul. 31, 1890 at Blowing Rock in Watauga Co., NC, died Dec. 2, 1972 at Peteros, Okanogan Co.  She married first to Charles Martin Harrell on Jun 30, 1911 in Okanogan Co.  Two children are known: Leda Ruby and Doris Jane.  Charles died in 1917 and Minnie married George Walter Brownlee on Feb. 16, 1919 in Okanogan Co.  He was a son of Andrew Brownlee and was born Jan. 17, 1875 in IL, died in Okanogan Co. in 1962.  Their children were at least two:  John Charles, born Jul. 16, 1924, died Sep. 11, 2003 at Wenatchee, Chelan Co., WA and, Grace, born c1928 in Okanogan Co.

The last child born to Gilliam and Sarah was Ethel, born Oct., 1894 in NC.

The second child born to Larkin and Sibby was Sarah Lou Ellen on Nov. 8, 1856 in Caldwell Co.  She married John M. Stamey, a son of Daniel and Catherine Stamey, on Jan. 4, 1874 in Caldwell Co.  John was born in Cherokee Co., NC on Jan. 9, 1846 and died in Catawba Co. on Sep. 4, 1934.  Sarah died in Catawba Co. on Jun. 24, 1947.

Third born was John Nelson "Nels" on Aug. 7, 1858 in Caldwell Co.  John Married Laura Ann Henley, a daughter of Henry and Loanna "Loany" Greene, on Sep. 23, 1881 in Watauga Co.  John died on Dec. 10, 1932 in Blowing Rock, NC; Laura died there on Jun. 2, 1936.  This couple had at least nine children, all of which married and have descendants.  The family is too large to write about here but I will in a future blog.  In the meantime, any reader wanting information about "Nels" and Laura Ann, can drop an e-mail with the request.

The last child of Larkin and Sibby was Mary Ann, born Mar. 27, 1859 in Caldwell Co., died there on Nov. 24, 1944.  She married William Alexander West, a son of Hiram and Juliatha [sic] Haas West, born Jan. 18, 1856 in Caldwell Co.  William died Jan. 26, 1919 at the State Hospital in Morganton, Burke Co., NC after breaking a hip.  He and Mary Ann had at least three children:  Dora A., born Jun., 1885, married Adolphus Price on Apr. 21, 1907 in Lenoir; Willard Newton, born Apr. 18, 1888, died Jan. 9, 1969 at Black Mountain in Buncombe Co., NC.  Willard married Emma Andrews on Dec. 26, 1915 in Lenoir.  Third and last child was Georgia, born Aug., 1890.

Following Larkin's death, Sibby Wyatt Coffey married Joseph Isenhour on Nov. 14, 1875 in NC.  They had at least one child, Solomon Tilden Isenhour, born Nov. 30, 1876, died Dec. 26, 1950 in Blowing Rock.  Solomon married Ruth Callie Moody c1895 and they had at least one child, a son Franklin Albert Isenhour, born in Watauga Co. on Dec. 11, 1898.  As mentioned above, it was Sibby's son Gilliam Coffey who married Sarah Jane Isenhour, Joseph's daughter by his first wife, Lettie.

Filmore Garfield & Martha Blanche Coffey Ford

Filmore Garfield Ford was a son of John Squire and Cenia Cook Ford, born Dec. 18, 1880 in Watauga Co.  Martha Blanche Coffey was a daughter of Thomas Carlton and Martha Ellen Cook Coffey, born Dec. 25, 1886 in Watauga Co.  The Cook ladies are probably related, but I have not investigated that connection.

Filmore and Martha Blanche was married on Nov. 13, 1904 in Watauga Co.*  They were parents of at least 12, seven of which I know to have lived and raised their own families.  I have found no info on sons Thomas Blaine Ford, born Mar. 4, 1918 or Farthing Gordon, born Jan. 3, 1930.  Son Herman was born Nov. 16, 1920 and died on the following day.

Update:  Farthing Gordon Ford died Jan. 7, 2002 in Davidson Co., NC.  Still searching for his wife's name.

Thomas Blaine Ford died Apr. 15, 1995 in Boone, Watauga Co.  His wife was Mary Rachel Herman, born 1923 in Alexander Co., NC.

The first born was William Stewart on Oct. 11, 1905 in Aho, Watauga Co.  He died Jan. 15, 1995 in Lenoir, Caldwell Co. and was buried at Baileys Camp Baptist Church Cemetery in Lenoir.  His wife was Lillie May Ford, likely a cousin, but I have not found her parents.

His obituary:

Mr. William Stewart Ford

Mr. William Stewart Ford, 89, of Route 1, Hudson, a former resident of Route 8, Lenoir, died Sunday, Jan. 15, at Caldwell Memorial Hospital in Lenoir.

He was born Oct. 11, 1905, in the Aho community of Watauga County, a son of the late Filmore and Blanche Coffey Ford.  He was a retired farmer and a former employee of Broyhill Furniture Company.  He was a member of Bailey's Camp Baptist Church.

Survivors include six sons, Alfred Ford of Newton, Frank Ford and Walter Fork [sic] [Ford], both of Black Mountain, Ray Ford of Morganton, James Ford of Hudson and Paul Ford of Lenoir; one daughter, Lucy Smith of Morganton; three sisters, Mary Belle Hampton and Ella Richardson, both of Lenoir, and Sadie Church of Fleetwood; and three brothers, Glenn Ford and Blaine Ford, both of Boone, and Farthing Ford of Lexington.  He is also survived by 20 grandchildren, 28 great-grandchildren, three great-great-grandchildren and a number of nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Mrs. Lillie Mae Ford Ford, one sister, Mrs. Pansy Jackson; and three brothers, Mr. Ralph Ford, Mr. Frank Ford and Mr. Ingle Ford.

Services were Wednesday afternoon at Bailey's Camp Baptist Church, officiated by the Rev. Max West and the Rev. Edgar Ford.  Burial followed in the church cemetery.

Ralph Allen was second, born May 25, 1906 in Watauga Co.  He died Aug. 1, 1972 and was buried at Reform Church Cemetery in Blowing Rock, Watauga Co.  His death certificate tells us that he was a widower at time of death, but I have not found his spouse.

Third born was David Frank on Jan. 21, 1909.  Caldwell Co. records report his death in 1981 in that county, but so far I have found nothing else.

Update:  David Frank Ford married Ida Greene, born 1911 in NC, on Apr. 22, 1933 in Blowing Rock Twp., Watauga Co., NC

Fourth was Pansy Ellen, born Jun. 18, 1910 in Watauga Co., died Jun. 16, 1975 in Charlotte, Mecklenburg Co.  Her spouse was Clyde Jackson.  Pansy is buried at Old Mount Pleasant-Bethany Luthern Church Cemetery in Boone.

Julia Ella was next, born May 6, 1913 in Watauga Co.  She married Lonnie Curtis Harrison, son of Shuford Edward (Emanuel?) and Sarah Malinda Bradshaw Harrison.  The marriage took place in Boone on Dec. 24, 1942.**  Lonnie died in Caldwell Co. in 2005; Julia in Blowing Rock on Apr. 22, 2007.  She is buried at Bethany Baptist Church in Finley, Caldwell Co.  Lonnie is probably also there.

Her obituary:

The Watauga Democrat, Boone, Watauga Co., NC, Apr. 26, 2007

Julia Ella Ford Harrison

Mrs. Julia Ford Harrison, 93, of Richland Road, Lenoir, died Sunday, April 22, 2007, at Blowing Rock Hospital.

She was born May 6, 1913 in Watauga County to the late Filmore Garfield and Martha Blanche Coffey Ford.

Mrs. Harrison was a homemaker and a member of Unity Baptist Church.

Survivors include two sons, Eric Anthony Harrison of Lenoir and Shuford Edward Harrison of Wilkesboro; three daughters, Ms. Adairn Elaine Harrison of Hickory, Mrs. Joe (Evelyn Annette) Snyder of Hudson and Mrs. Gwyn (A. Elizabeth) Icenhour of Lenoir; a brother, Marion Glenn Ford of Boone; two sisters, Mrs. Mary Belle Hampton of Whitnel and Mrs. Sadie Blanche Church of Fleetwood; ten grandchildren; and 14 great-grandchildren.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Lonnie C. Harrison; a daughter, Aleda Eva Burress; seven brothers, Ralph, Frank, Stewart, Blaine, Ingle, Hooker, and Farthing Ford; a sister, Pansy Jackson; and a grandchild, Curtis Snyder.

Services were conducted Wednesday morning, April 25, at 11 a.m. at Greer-McElveen Funeral Home Chapel conducted by the Rev. Paul Dula and the Rev. Gary Waters. Interment followed at Bethany Baptist Church Cemetery.

Memorials may be made to Bethany Baptist Church, 6777 Richland Rd., Lenoir, N.C. 28645; The Eva Harrison Burress Scholarship Fund, c/o Appalachian State University Foundation, P.O. Box 32014, Boone, N.C. 28608-2014; Caldwell Hospice and Palliative Care, 902 Kirkwood St., Lenoir, N.C. 28645; and Alzheimers Association, 31 College Place, Suite D320, Asheville, N.C. 28801-2644.

Online condolences may be left at www.greer-mcelveenfuneralhome.com.

Greer-McElveen Funeral Home and Crematory was in charge of the arrangements.

Child number six was John Ingle, born Aug. 1, 1915 in Watauga Co., died Aug. 6, 1973 at Boone.  John married Rhonda R. Greene, date unknown.  She was born May 19,1918 and died Apr. 12, 2009 at Boone.  Both are buried at Friendship United Methodist Church Cemetery at Boone.

Seven and eight, Thomas Blaine and Herman are mentioned above.

Number nine was Marion Glenn, born May 10, 1922 in Watauga Co., died in Boone on Oct. 28, 2009.  Glenn's spouse was Brook Stanbury to whom he was married on Mar 16, 1947** at New River Twp., in Watauga Co.  He is buried at Laurel Springs Baptist Church cemetery at Deep Gap, Watauga Co.

His obituary:

The Watauga Democrat, Nov. 2, 2009

Mr. Glenn Ford, 87, of 560 Pine Branch Road, Boone, died Wednesday evening, Oct. 28, 2009, at his home.

Mr. Ford was born May 10, 1922 in Watauga County, a son of the late  Filmore and Martha Blanche Coffey Ford. He was a retired salesman and supervisor for Coca Cola Bottling Company, and a member of Laurel Springs Baptist Church.

Obituary Photo

Glenn served in the United States Army during World War II.

Mr. Ford is survived by his wife, Brooke Stanbery Ford of the home; two daughters, Rebecca Barkley and husband, H.E, of Columbia, S.C., and Marian Ford of Hickory; one son, Mark Ford and wife, Gail, of Boone; one sister, Mary Belle Hampton of Lenoir; two granddaughters, Erin Ford Patterson and husband, John, of Boone, and Meredith Barkley Murphy and husband, Andy, of Columbia; one grandson, Michael Barkley of Columbia; and one great-granddaughter, Lauren Patterson of Boone.  He is also survived by a number of nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by three sisters,  Pansy Jackson, Ellen Harrison and Sadie Church, and six brothers, Stewart, Ralph, Frank, Ingle, Blaine and Farthing Ford.

Services were conducted, Oct. 31, at 2 p.m. at Laurel Springs Baptist Church. Officiating were the Rev. Brent Bolick and Dr. Matt Brown.  Burial followed in Laurel Springs Baptist Church Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to Laurel Springs Baptist Church Building Fund, or to the Laurel Springs Baptist Church Cemetery Fund, 7504 U.S. Highway 421 South, Deep Gap, N.C. 28618.

Online condolences may be sent to the Ford family at www.hamptonfuneralservice.com.

Hampton Funeral and Cremation Service is in charge of the arrangements.

The tenth born was Mary Belle on Mar. 28, 1925.  She married Rhonda Gerald Hampton on Aug. 1, 1947 at Zionville in Watauga Co.**  He was born in 1918.  Their death dates and burial sites have not found.

Update: Rhonda Gerald Hampton was born Mar. 31, 1918 in NC and died Sep. 14, 1977 in Asheville, Buncombe Co., NC.  Mary Belle passed away on Feb. 1, 2012 in Lenoir.  She was buried at Blue Ridge Memorial Park in Lenoir.  Rhonda's burial site has not been found.

Next born was Sadie Blanche Ford on Apr. 8,1927 in Watauga Co.  She married Elster Brown Church, date unknown, who was born in North Carolina on Oct. 26, 1918 and died Jul. 14, 1985 in Watauga Co.  Sadie died Dec. 12, 2007.  She is buried at Liberty Grove Baptist Church cemetery at Deep Gap where Elster is probably also buried.

Her obituary:

The Watauga Democrat, Boone, NC, Dec. 17, 2007

Sadie Ford Church

Mrs. Sadie Ford Church, 80, of Fleetwood, N.C., died Wednesday morning, Dec. 12, 2007, at Ashe Memorial Hospital in Jefferson.

Obituary Photo

She was born in Watauga County, Friday, April 8, 1927, to the late Filmora and Blanche Coffey Ford.

Survivors include a son, Kenneth Church and wife, Debbie, of Fleetwood; a brother, Glenn “Brook” Ford of Boone, N.C.; a sister, Mary Bell Hampton of Lenoir, N.C.; two grandchildren, Becky Howell and husband, Gene, of Sparta, and Alicia Howell and husband, Richard Lee, of Walnut Cove, N.C.; two great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Elster Church; seven brothers; and two sisters.

Services were held at 2 p.m., Friday, Dec. 14, 2007, at Liberty Grove Baptist Church with the Rev. John Elledge and the Rev. David Long officiating. Burial followed in the church cemetery.
Memorials may be made to: Liberty Grove Baptist Church, PO Box 400, Deep Gap, N.C. 28618.

You may give the family your condolences at our Web site www.boonefuneralhome.com.

Boone Family Funeral Home of West Jefferson is in charge of these arrangements.

Farthing Gordon Ford was their last child.  See above.

Update:  Farthing Gordon Ford was born Jan. 3, 1930 in Watauga Co. and died on Jan. 7, 2002 in Davidson Co., NC.  His burial site is not known.

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*Historical Studies, Appalachian State University, Department of History (Editors Evelyn G. Shepherd and Brenda M. Greene), compiler, Marriage Register of Watauga County, North Carolina 1873-1954 (Boone, Watauga Co., NC: Dept. of Hist., Appalachian State Univ., Boone, NC, 1995).  Officiated by A. J. Shull.


**North Carolina County Marriages, 1759-1979 , digital images, FamilySearch.Org (www.familysearch.org).

The Elrod Family of Watauga Co., NC

I recently received as a gift A History of Watauga County by John Preston Arthur (Richmond, Everett Waddey Co., 1915).  It was brand new and still in the cellophane wrapper when it was presented to me.  It's probably unnecessary for me to tell you - especially if you are a descendant of most anyone in Watauga County - that a large number of families in that county in the 1800's were either related by blood or by marriage.  Many of them are represented in this work by Arthur.

Some researchers have told me that Author made many mistakes in connecting some of the families but, so far, all have checked out pretty accurately; that is, I have not yet discovered any gross errors.  I am using census records to confirm family members, marriages, births, and where available, death records found at Ancestry.com.

So, for the foreseeable future, I'll be filling in some of the blanks that I have for many of those early families and reporting on a few of them in the blog.

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The Elrods are said to be from France.  Conrad Elrod, the father of William, is first found in 1800 Burke County and again in 1810 in Morganton, Burke Co.  William's mother was not named by Arthur.  Conrad was not found in the NC census after 1810.

William Elrod appeared in the 1820 Ashe County census.  There were no other heads of household with that name in the NC census that year.  William married Elizabeth Lowrance and was the father of at least two children:  Alexander, born c1823 and Mary, born c1827.  There were probably others but, I have not yet found them.

Mary married  Thomas Cook c1845 and at least five children resulted from that union:  James Hamilton, born 1849; Sarah, born c1852; Martha Ellen, born Jul. 3, 1858; Alberton, born c1861 and Julia, born c1868.

Martha Ellen married Thomas Carlton Coffey on Nov. 14, 1875 in Watauga Co.  Thomas was born to Jesse Calton and Nancy Raines Coffey on Jan. 1, 1853 in Haywood Co., NC.  He died Dec. 17, 1915 in Watauga Co. and was buried at the Coffey Family cemetery at Blowing Rock.  Martha Ellen died Mar. 25, 1939 and was also buried there.

They had at least 13 children; too many to describe right now.  However, drop me a note if you are interested in their descendants.   I will get to them in later blogs.

Alexander Elrod was born c1823.  His wife was Mary B. "Polly" Shearer, born c1833 in NC.  I have not yet found a marriage date or death dates for them.  He and Polly had at least nine children.  Their fourth child and first son was William Thomas, born Apr. 17, 1858, died Aug. 4, 1941 in Caldwell Co., NC.

William married was married c1881 to Laura Velora Green, a daughter of Augustus and Sarah Green.  She was born May. 29, 1862 and died Sep. 15, 1923 in Caldwell Co.  I do not yet know where either of them are buried.

He and Laura were parents of at least seven.  Their fifth child and third daughter Lester Pearl Elrod married Roby Columbus Coffey.  Roby was born Jun. 16, 1881 and died in Boone on Sep. 26, 1964.  He is buried at Mt. Zion Baptist Church cemetery in Hudson, Caldwell Co.  Lester Pearl died on Aug. 17, 1939 in Forsyth Co. but I do not know where she was buried.

Roby Columbus was a brother to John Wesley "Happy John" Coffey, sons of Joseph Reubin and Martha Elizabeth Gragg Coffey.  They and Thomas Carlton were second as well as third cousins.

Clayton Maywood & Ella Virginia Waterman Coffey

Clayton Maywood Coffey was born Feb. 27, 1877 in Nelson Co., VA, the first child of Henry Alexander and Sarah Rebecca Campbell Coffey.  He was married c1908 to Ella Virginia Waterman.

His obituary:

Daily News Leader, Staunton, VA, Jul 1943

Clayton Maywood Coffey

Ella Virginia Waterman

Funeral services for Clayton M. Coffey, who died early Friday at his home on Staunton route five, were conducted from the residence at four o'clock Monday, with his pastor, the Rev. W. J. B. Livingston of Hebron Presbyterian church, officiating, assisted by the Rev. David F. Glovier. Hymns used were "Rock of Ages," "The Old Rugged Cross," and "Abide With Me." Mr. Coffey was born in Nelson county, Feb. 27, 1877, coming to Augusta in early childhood, spending the remainder of his life in and around Staunton. He was a son of the late Henry A. Coffey and Sarah Campbell Coffey. Those surviving are his widow, Mrs. Ella Waterman Coffey; three daughters and two sons, Mrs. Albert Dull, Mrs. Harty Burford, Mrs. David Hoover, Charles M. Coffey, all of Staunton; Elwood Coffey,. U. S. Army, Nashville, Tenn.; seven grandchildren; six sisters and one brother, Mrs. Walter Keefauver, Roanoke; Mrs. Gilbert Craig, Lynchburg; Mrs. Vinton Cook and Mrs. O. H. Lee, Richmond; Mrs. Howard Plumb, Waynesboro; Miss Lottie Coffey, Winchester and J. H. Coffey, Landover, Md. Active pallbearers were H. F. Talhaferro, W. C. Shiflett, R. T. Mosley, J. D. Hoover, John Dull, and M. E. Elliott; honorary, Frank Leitch, A. R. Moore, Dr. Glenn C. Campbell, Sam Cook, W. A. Crawford, F. M. Tutwider, J. L. Jamison, L. M. Drake. Burial was in Thornrose cemetery.

[I wonder about the spelling of some of the surnames in the obituary.  Is Talhaferro really supposed to be Taliaferro and Tutwider supposed to be Tutwiler?]

Ella was the daughter of Harry B. and Emma Jane Harris, born Jan. 31, 1883 in Staunton, Augusta Co., VA and died there on Dec. 23, 1955.  Both are buried at the Thornrose Cemetery in Staunton.

 - Clayton and Ella were the parents of at least five children; three daughters and two sons:

Emma Jane Harris Waterman

Janet Lucille Coffey Dull

 - Janet Lucille, born May 24, 1911, died Jun. 20, 1984.  Janet married Albert Alexander Dull, born Oct. 3, 1908, died Jan. 4, 1965.  They are also buried at Thornrose.

 - Henry Elwood, born July 18, 1912 and died May 11, 1955.  He married Ferbie Virginia Smith on Sep. 29, 1943 in Augusta Co.  A few years after Henry died, his widow married Charles Maywood, Henry's brother.  All are buried at Thornrose.

Henry Elwood Coffey

Charles Maywood Coffey

 - Helen Joyce, born Dec. 1, 1913, died Feb. 23, 1998, married Joseph Hardy "Pete" Burford on Jun. 14, 1929 in Hagerstown, Washington Co., MD.  Pete was born Jan. 3, 1909 and died Jun. 13, 1998.  They are also buried at Thornrose. No photo available for Helen.












- Catherine, born ca Dec., 1916. Nothing else known; may have died young. [After re-reading Clayton's obit, I realized that Catherine is Mrs. (John) David Hoover.]

 - Charles Maywood, born Aug. 29, 1920, died Jun. 19, 1989.  Neither Charles nor his brother Henry are known to have fathered any children with Ferbie.

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Update Oct 25, 2011:

Charles Maywood Coffey was first married to Nellie Elaine Woodzell in 1941.  They divorced c1947 and Nellie later married Joseph Gatlin Gray in 1957, Louisville, Jefferson Co., KY.  Charles then married Ferbie c1958.  Joseph was born Apr. 7, 1918 in Laurel, Jones Co., MS and died in Tell City, Perry Co., IN on Dec. 29, 2001.  Nellie was born Dec. 12, 1919 in Millboro, Bath Co., VA to Charley B. and Sarah E. Woodzell.  She died Apr. 20, 1984 in Tell City.  She and Joseph are buried there in Greenwood Cemetery.

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All photos are courtesy of Wayne Coffey.

John Nelson & Laura Ann Finley Coffey

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The following information about the John Nelson Coffey Family was found in an undated document titled The John Nelson Coffey Family, prepared by Mr. Howard M. Day, 3532 28th Parkway, Temple Hills, MD 20748.

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The John  Nelson  Coffey Family

The John Nelson Coffey Family

John Nelson Coffey was born 7 Aug 1858 in the  Kings Creek  District of Caldwell County, N.C.  He was the son of Larkin Coffey (b1830, d.1863) and Sibby Wyatt (1831- ). His progenitors can be traced through his grandfather, Thomas Coffey, Jr. (b1804) who on 22 Sept 1823 in Wilkes Co., N.C. married Nancy Barlow (b1804). Thomas Coffey Sr. is thought to be the son of Thomas Coffey from Essex Co., Va. (b7 Mar 1742, d 1825) and his first wife, Elizabeth Smith. He in turn was the grandson of the Coffey who immigrated from Ireland to Virginia about the year 1690 according to a compilation by Laurence H. Coffey.*

*"Thomas Coffey (b7 Mar 1742) and his second wife Sally Field along with six children moved to the area of present day Wilkes County sometime between 1775 and 1780 settling on the Upper Waters of the Yadkin River where he died in 1825 at the age of 33”.

Thomas Coffey (b 1777) was married first to a Coffey and second to Nancy Pend1ey .

Larkin Coffey died of diphtheria while serving in the Confederate Army and is buried in Lafollette, Tennessee, His widow raised their family in the old home place, and on 14 Nov 1875 at the age of 44 married Joseph Isenhour of Wilkes Co. who was then 60 years of age and had a family of his own. In fact on 10 Jan 1875, just 11 months prior to their marriage, her first son, Gilum W. Coffey (b1855), was  married to Sarah Jane Isenhour ( b1853) . To the union of Joseph and Sibby Isenhour was born one son Solomon Tilden Isenhour.  .

The children of Larkin Coffey and Sibby Wyatt were: Gilum W. (bl855); John Nelson (1853); Candus who married Lee Cook; Cordey who married Larkin Cook; Mary Ann who married William West; and Lue who married John West.

John Nelson Coffey came to Watauqa County around the year 1880 probably to work on the Moses H. Cone estate. In Blowing Rock he soon met Laura Ann Henley (10 Apr 1863, 2 June 1936) who 1ived with her mother, Loany Greene Henley (5 Feb 1836, 14 Nov 1917), the widow of Henry Henley (2 June 1821, 5 May 1865).  Henry Henley was a member of the Home Guard who was killed in the raid on Hamby's Fort at the end of the Civil War (2). Laura and John Nelson were married 23 Sept 1881 and took up residence at the old Tom Henley place near where Loany Henley 1ived.

John Nelson Coffey was described as a strong willed man, a little stubborn you might say, but he was known to take great pleasure in his work and his family. He was, of necessity, a subsistence farmer, but he also made shoes and worked on the Cone Estate to fill in. Like many of the local farmers in those days he grew more produce than necessary for his family and hauled it down the mountain with horse and wagon to markets in Lenoir. Members of his family often spoke of taking turns living with and taking care of Grandma Henley since she lived alone until her death in 1917. Soon thereafter Nelson and Laura moved to their last home which was at Cook's Gap east of Boone near the Mt. Vernon Church community.

Apparently Nelson and Laura Coffey were musically inclined because several of their [children] played string instruments and loved to dance. My mother, Bertha, knew many traditional mountain songs which she often sang while accompanying herself on the guitar or banjo.

The progeny of John Nelson Coffey and Laura Ann Henley together with the spouse and children of each are as follows: Henry Edward (23 June 1832, 20 Sept 1960) m. 20 Dec 1903 to Elizabeth Foster with whom he raised three children: Malory James, Marjorie and Edward, George F. (23 Oct 1334, 10 Dec 1941) m. 23 April 1905 to Emma Greene with whom  he raised two boys: Arnold (-) and William Franklin (4 Sept 1923); Essie (9 Jan 1837, 5Feb 1972) m. 25 Dec 1904 to Carol Herman with whom she raised 8 children: Fannie Lee, George Alton, Tracy, Bonnie, Marvin, Edith, Phylis and Dessie; Delia (9 Oct 1889, 10 Now 1973) m. 22 July 1909 to Jacob Dillinger (12 Oct 1833, 14 April 1945) with whom she raised six children: Earl, Margaret, Inez, Jay, Wi11iam R. and Robert L. ; Stella (30 April 1393, 21 Oct 1965) m. 3 July 1914 to Grover Walters with whom she raised 5 children: Elizabeth, Verdola, Clifford, Norman and Robert; C1ara (31 Oct 1896, 3 Dec 1977) m. 18 Jan 1914 to George Danner with no children;,Bertha R. (24 Sept 1899) m. 23 Dec 1917 to Howard Day and they had 3 children: Obed, Dorothy and Howard Jr.; Bernice (29 May 1903) m. 29 June 1921 to Charlie Watson, they raised 6 children: Mary Helen, Kathleen, Carma Lee, Bobby, Clemmon and Harold, (three additional children: Laura Mildred, Charles W. and Claude Wayne died in infancy; Milton (1904..,) m. 9 May 1924 to Bell Gilley (1906), who raised one child, Harvey Edward (27 May 1925). After the death of her husband Bertha married Charlie Cook in 1932 with whom she had one child, Kenneth (b 1 Jan 1933). On 22 Feb 1959, after the death of her husband, Delia married Robert Bratton (1904,1960).

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Albert Galatin and Lois Senora Garrison Coffey

Albert was a junior, son of Albert Galatin senior and his wife Annie E. Campbell.  He married Lois Senora Garrison on Jun. 20, 1911 in Pawhuska, Osage Co., OK.  She was born in North Carolina on Mar. 2, 1891.  Albert, Jr. was born on Jan. 7, 1884 in Lincoln Co., KY.  He died in Fergus Co., MT on Jun. 20, 1967 and was buried at the Winnett City cemetery in Petroleum Co.  Lois died much earlier, on Nov. 1, 1929 shortly after giving birth to her eighth child in 15 years.  She was also buried at the Winnett cemetery.

The family left Oklahoma sometime before Sep. 12, 1918 and lived for awhile in Port Orchard, Kitsap Co., WA where Albert worked as a riveter at the navy yard.  It was on that date that Albert registered for the draft.  He and Lois lived at 1513 Elizabeth St. in Bremerton.  Albert was described on the draft registration as being tall and slender with brown eyes and black hair.  He was 34 years old at the time.

When 1920 arrived the family was still in Kitsap and Albert still worked in the navy yard.  Soon however, the family left for Montana and settled in Petroleum Co.  By 1930 Albert was a widower farmer, raising eight children by himself.  He apparently never remarried.

Children of Albert and Lois were:

Marguerite S. "Deat", born Sep. 12, 1914 in Soper, Choctaw Co., OK, died Apr. 14, 1981 in Lewistown, Fergus Co., MT.  Marguerite married Very Stanly Cook, born 1907 in Sandpoint, Bonner Co., ID, on May 22, 1943 in Winnett.  Vern died in Lewistown on Dec., 1978.

Alberta Lillian "Corky", was born in 1916, probably in Choctaw Co. as well.  She married Stanley August Zeismer, born Dec. 21, 1913 in McGrath, Aitkin Co., MN, died Nov. 9, 1990 in Seattle, King Co., WA.  Alberta died in Dec., 1989 in Winnett.

Joseph Galatin, born 1920, probably in Choctaw Co., married Margarette Livingston on May 12, 1961.  She died on Jun. 10, 1989 in Harrison, Madison Co., MT.

Twila A., born 1921 in MT, married James McCue.  He died in 1971 in Winnett.

Bill Dale, born Mar. 10, 1923 in MT, died there on Jun. 17, 1940.

Lois Madaleen, born 1925 in MT, died there on Mar. 11, 1926.

Robert E. "Bob", born 1927 in Dovetail, Petroleum Co., married Winnie Lorraine Magee in Mississippi on Aug. 14, 1959.

Mary Lou, born 1929 in Montana, married Joseph Bevis.

More information is available from the Petroleum County Public Library publication, A History of Petroleum County, Montana, Vol. 1, 1989.  The book is also available as a pdf at Rootsweb.

Davis Finley Coffey [Revised Aug. 17, 2009]

Some months ago I wrote a short blurb on Davis Finley Coffey as part of a blog on his parents, John Calvin and Nancy Caroline Tuttle Coffey. At that time I did not have much on Davis and his wife, Rose Amanda Grant.

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Davis was born Oct. 3, 1883 in Risden*, Caldwell Co., NC and died Dec. 17, 1970** in Goldendale Klickitat Co., WA. Rose Amanda was born in Jan., 1888 in Wisconsin to Barton H. and Nellie Cook Grant. She died Apr. 24, 1972** in Spokane, Spokane Co., WA. I have not yet discovered their burial place. They were married in March, 1912 in Ritzville, Adams Co., WA.***

I know of eight children born to this union, all born in Washington state:

Helen M., born c April, 1913, died Mar. 31, 2007 in Yakima Co., WA. She married George Hitzler. Washington state death records contain an entry for two men with this name. The likely spouse of Helen is the one born in 1897 and died March, 1977 in Yakima Co. No children identified so far.

Vera Pearl, born Jan. 9, 1915 in Marengo, Adams Co., died Feb. 19,1998. She married a Mr. Morgan. No further information.

Byron W., born Dec, 15, 1916, died Nov. 14, 2000 in Granger, Yakima Co.

Ralph Calvin, born Nov. 11, 1918, died Dec. 7, 2003 in Yakima Co., married Bonnie LNU.

Gladys, born c1921, said to have married Larry Sybouts.

Edith, born c1923, died Jun. 24, 2004, said to have married a Orville C. Jauhola.

Robert, born c1925, Married Wanda LNU

Barbara, born c1929, said to have married a Mr. Swett.

If you can add to or correct any of this info please drop me a note at the above e-mail address. I would especially like to know where Davis and Rose are buried.



*I have not found a town by this name in Caldwell Co.
**SSDI and Washington State Death Index
***IGI (International Genealogical Index)

John Lewis Cook, Jr.

This blog was updated today, Aug. 5, 2009.  Click on the title link to view changes/additions.

The Daughters of Silas & Maggie Philyaw Coffey

 

Left to Right:  Wilma Jessie Coffey Cook; Eva Frances Ingram wife of Silas' son, Floyd Raymond Coffey; Lillie Faye Coffey (top), wife of John J. Keller; Opal Rebecca Coffey, wife of John Banks Myers; and Edith Evelyn Coffey, wife of Ernest Wayne Robbins.  Photo was probably taken between 1930 and 1933.

  

 Left to Right:  Wilma, Opal, Lillie and Edith.  This photo is said to have been taken in 1955 at the 50th anniversary of their parents.  However, it appears to me that the ladies are older than 50 so the photo was likely taken at some later family event.

Click on the title link to read more about this family.

Photos courtesy Margaret Coffey Farley

Silas Milton & Margaret Caroline Philyaw Coffey

Silas was born Jun 16, 1886 in Blowing Rock, Watauga Co., NC to John Caroll and Nancy Evelyn Hartley Coffey. He died there on Nov. 4, 1961 and was buried in the Globe Baptist Church Cemetery at Lenoir in Caldwell Co., NC.

Margaret Caroline was born in 1889, the daughter of Gideon and Martha Teague Philyaw. She died Sep. 16, 1975 in Caldwell Co. and, although I do not have proof, is likely buried with Silas at Globe.

They were married on Nov. 5, 1905 and the photograph is a record of their 50th Anniversary celebration.

There were at least 10 children born to Silas and Margaret:

Wilma Jessie, born Dec. 5, 1909 in Mortimer Twp., Caldwell Co., and died Feb. 27, 1997 in Caldwell Co. She married Ray L. Cook there in 1930.

Beeler, born Jul. 17, 1911 in Globe Twp., Caldwell Co., and died Mar. 20, 1968 in Whitnel, Caldwell Co. His wife was Lema Lou Green, a daughter of Harlan and Lou Ellen Bolick Greene. They were married in Caldwell Co. in 1932. Lena was born Jan. 16, 1915 in Caldwell Co., and died there on Aug. 3, 2000. They had at least three children: Hazel, born Apr. 25, 1938, died Mar. 11, 2003; Kenneth Walter, born Oct. 14, 1940, died Sep. 26, 2001; and Bealer Wayne, born Jan. 20, 1943, died Jul. 5, 2000.

Lema's obituary:

Lema Lou Greene Coffey, 85, of Congress St., Lenoir, died Thursday, Aug. 3, 2000, at Caldwell County Hospice.

She was born Jan. 16, 1915, in Caldwell County to the late Harlan Greene and Lou Ellen Bolick Greene. she was also preceded in death by her husband, Bealer Coffey; one son, Bealer Wayne Coffey; one daughter, Margaret Ellen Williams; one brother, Claude Greene and one sister, Alma Hartley.

She was a homemaker and a member of Globe Baptist Church.

Survivors include two suns [sic] Kenneth Coffey of Hudson and Larry Coffey of Granite Falls; three daughters, Dare Austin, Doris Bumgarner and Hazel Johnson, all of Granite Falls; 23 grandchildren; eight great grandchildren; and a number of great-great-grandchildren.

A private service will be held at a later date.

Memorial contributions may be made to Caldwell County Hospice, 962 Kirkwood St., Lenoir, N.C. 28645.

Pendry's Lenoir Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Floyd Raymond, born Jul. 19, 1913 in Edgemont Twp., Caldwell Co., died Oct. 9, 1983 in Caldwell Co. He married Eva Frances Ingram who was born Jun. 11, 1915 in Caldwell Co. They had at least one child, a son Charles Author [sic], born Feb. 3, 1934 and died Feb. 10, 2003 in Valdese, Caldwell Co.

His obituary:

Charles Author Coffey, 69, of Lakeview Acres Drive, Valdese, formerly of Lenoir, died Monday, Feb. 10, 2003, at the residence.

He was born Feb. 3, 1934, in Caldwell County to Eva Ingram Coffey of Valdese and the late Floyd Coffey. He was also preceded in death by two sons, Marty Dean Coffey and Danny Michael Coffey.

He was owner of Coffey & Sons Concrete Finishing Co. and was a member of Light House Ministries in Drexel.

Survivors, in addition to his mother, include his wife, Dollie Crump Coffey of the home; two sons, Jimmy Richard Coffey of Hildebran and Gary Steve Coffey of Gamewell; a daughter, Donna C. O'Neal of Valdese; a brother, Charles Melton Coffey of George Hildebran; six grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

The funeral is 11 a.m. Thursday at Greer-McElveen Funeral Home Chapel with the Revs. Mike Ferree, Becky Trammel and Cecil Hamby officiating. Burial will follow at Globe Cemetery.

The family will receive friends today from 7 until 8:30 p.m. at the funeral home.

Pallbearers will be Ryan Coffey, Greg Moore, Rob McGee, Shane Marshall, Scott McLeod and Nolan Clark. Bauch Coffey will be an honorary pallbearer.

Horace M., born 1915

Dock Edward, born 1917, died Jul., 1979. He married Nancy Louise Crump, born Aug. 4, 1924 in Avery Co., NC, died Jan. 29, 2003 in Hickory Twp., Catawba Co., NC.

Nancy's obituary:

Nancy Louise Coffey, 78, of 10th Street Blvd., NW, Hickory, formerly of Lenoir, died Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2003, at Frye Regional Medical Center.

She was born Aug. 4, 1924, in Avery County to the late Bill and Mary Jane Woodruff Crump. She was also preceded in death by her husband, Doc Edward Coffey; three brothers, Percy, Arnold and Joe Crump, and four sisters, Alma Crump, Nell Wallace, Eva Pearson and Edith Pat Hartley.

She was retired from American Efird Mills and Bernhardt Furniture Industries and was a caregiver. She was a member of Harrisburg Baptist Church.

Survivors include one son, Marshall Edward Coffey of Boone; two daughters, Mrs. Ronald (Linda) Miller of Lenoir and Mrs. Randy (Crystal) Setzer of Morganton; a brother, Jim Crump of Myrtle Beach, S.C.; seven grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren.

The funeral is 11 a.m. Saturday at Greer-McElveen Funeral Home Chapel with the Revs. Ted Williams and Ron Miller officiating. Burial will be in Wildwood Cemetery.

The family will receive friends today from 7 until 8:30 p.m. at the funeral home, and other times at the home of her daughter, Linda Miller, 1433 Bass Lane, Lenoir.

Pallbearers will be: Robbie Coffey, Chad Miller, Curt Miller, Buddy Detter, Alan Miller and Tommy Coffey.

Opal Rebecca, born Nov. 3, 1920 in Caldwell Co., died there Oct. 11, 2006. She married John Banks Myers, born Oct. 26, 1915 to Henry Dayton and Rose Dameron Myers. John died Apr. 13, 2005 in Lenoir, Caldwell Co. John was a veteran of WWII and is buried at the Union Grove Baptist Church Cemetery in Lenoir. Opal is also buried there.

Opal's obituary

Opal Coffey Myers, 85, of Union Grove Road, Lenoir, N.C., passed away on Wednesday, October 11, 2006, at her residence.

Mrs. Myers was a homemaker and a devoted member of Union Grove Baptist Chu-rch for 59 years. She will be remembered especially for her dedication and love to her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and friends.

Mrs. Myers was preceded in death by her parents Silas and Maggie P. Coffey; her husband, J. B. Myers; a daughter, Brenda Frances Myers; a grandson, J. B. Myers III; three sisters, Wilma Cook, Edith Robbins and Faye Keller and six brothers, Horace, Doc, Bealer, Clarence, Herman and Floyd Coffey.

Opal is survived by four children, Richard Myers, Pat Myers, Sharon Jenkins and J. B. Myers Jr., all of Lenoir. She is also survived by six grandchildren: Kimberly Robbins and husband Billy, Alison Crawford and husband Jason, Emily Freeman, Addie Tucker and husband Stuart, Cody Myers and Michael W. Jenkins Jr., all of Lenoir; eight great-grandchildren, Taylor, Rhett, Nathaniel, Hannah, J.B., Reagan, Colson and Grayson.

Funeral services will be held at Union Grove Baptist Church on Sunday, October 15, 2006 at 3 p.m. with Reverend Sam Craven and Reverend James Lambert officiating.

The family will receive friends prior to the service from 1:30 to 3 p.m. at the church. Burial will be in the church cemetery.

Serving as pallbearers will be Michael W. Jenkins, Jr., Cody Myers, Billy Robbins, Stuart Tucker, Jason Crawford, Austen Jud, Johnny Williams and Bobby Robbins.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Caldwell County Hospice and Palliative Care, 902 Kirkwood Street SW, Lenoir, NC 28645 or to Union Grove Baptist Church, Building Fund, 1808 Union Grove Road, Lenoir, NC 28645.

Herman, born c1921

Edith Evelyn, born in Caldwell Co. on Oct. 15, 1924, and died there on Feb. 5, 2005. She married Ernest Wayne Robbins.

Edith's obituary:

Edith Evelyn Coffey Robbins, 80, of Union Grove Road, Lenoir, died Saturday, Feb. 5, 2005, at Caldwell Memorial Hospital.

Robbins was born Oct. 15, 1924, in Caldwell County to the late Silas Milton and Margaret Caroline Philyaw Coffey. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by: six brothers, Dock Coffey, Clarence "Cub" Coffey, Bealer Coffey, Herman Coffey, Horace Coffey and Floyd Coffey; one sister, Wilma Cook, and a granddaughter, Lisa Herman.

Mrs. Robbins was a homemaker. Her family was her life and she was ours.
Survivors include: her husband, Ernest Wayne Robbins, of the home; two sons; Wayne Milton Robbins and wife Gail, and Bobby Robbins and wife Debbie; four daughters, Carolyn Robbins Hicks, Donna Robbins Herman and husband R.L., Cherry Robbins, and Lynn Robbins Roberts and husband Joe; two sisters, Opal Myers and husband J.B., and Faye Keller and husband John; 15 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren.

Graveside service was 2 p.m., Tues., Feb. 8, 2005, at Woodlawn Memorial Gardens with the Rev. Lynn Hawkins officiating. Robbins' eight grandsons will serve as pallbearers.

Pendry's Funeral Home and Crematory is in charge of arrangements.

Lillie Faye, born Apr. 16, 1928 in Caldwell Co., died Sep. 15, 2005 in Hudson, Caldwell Co. She married John J. Keller.

Lillie's obituary:

Lillie Faye Keller, 77, of Hawthorne St., Hudson, died Thursday, September 15, 2005 at Caldwell Hospice and Palliative Care.

She was born April 16, 1928, in Caldwell County, to the late S. M. Coffey and Maggie Philyaw Coffey. In addition to her parents she is preceded in death by a granddaughter, Ginger Webb; a great-grandson, Caleb Webb; six brothers and two sisters.

Mrs. Keller was a Homemaker and of the Baptist Faith.

She is survived by her loving husband of 45 years, John J. Keller of the home; a son, Johnny Williams and wife Shelia of Granite Falls and a sister, Opal Myers of Lenoir.

Graveside service for Mrs. Keller will be held on Saturday, September 17, 2005 at 11 am at Dry Ponds Baptist Church Cemetery with Dr. Rick Crouse officiating. The family will receive friends at the home of Johnny Williams, 22 Valley Street, Granite Falls.

Memorials may be made to Caldwell Hospice and Palliative Care, 902 Kirkwood St., NW, Lenoir, NC 28645.

Mackie-High Funeral Home is serving the Keller family.

The last child was Clarence (Cub), born Sep. 13, 1033, died May 18, 1977.

Please contact me at the above e-mail address to add to or to correct any of this information.

Photo courtesy of Margaret Coffey Farley

Roby Monroe Coffey Family

Roby Monroe Coffey was a son of George Washington "Wash" and Matilda "Tilda" Coffey Coffey.  Wash and Tilda were distant cousins.  Roby was the ninth of the 11 children born to Tilda, and first saw light on Mar. 20, 1881 in Ashe Co., NC.  He died on Oct. 1, 1955 of a coronary occlusion and was buried in the Boone Fork Baptist Church Cemetery in Watauga Co., NC.

On Sep., 12, 1918, Roby registered for the draft in WW1 in Lenoir, Caldwell Co.  He was described as being 37 years old, tall with blue eyes and dark colored hair.  He was a farmer and resided at Shulls Mill in Watauga Co. with his wife.  He did not mention the number of children in his household, but by that date, should have been the father of at least six children:

Roby Monroe Coffey Family

Lena, born Dec. 13, 1903, died 1979, married George Norvell Fox Aug. 10, 1927 in Carter Co., TN.  George was born May 7, 1902 in Watauga Co., the son of John Lee and Jodie Ella Shook Fox.

Lelia Nancy, born May 20, 1906 in Caldwell Co., died May 7, 1969 in Lenoir.  She married Ralph Washington Jones on Jul. 31, 1926 in Watauga Co.  He was born Jun. 1, 1906 in Caldwell Co., and died there on Jul. 14, 1987.  Both she and Ralph are buried at Harris Chapel Baptist Church Cemetery in Hudson, Caldwell Co.  They had at least three children, all now deceased:  George Sylvester, born Jun 3, 1927, died Jun. 9, 1946; Thelma, born Jan. 29, 1930, died Dec. 14, 2006 as Mrs. Claude D. Payne, and Peggy Ann, born Dec. 4, 1948, died Apr. 5, 1960.

Bina Lee, born Jun. 29, 1909 in Caldwell Co., died Jul. 10, 1999 in High Point, Guilford Co., NC.  She married her distant cousin, Troy Talmadge Coffey, on Nov. 3, 1928 in Carter Co., TN.  Troy was the son of George Calvin and Louisa Elizabeth Curtis Coffey.  Troy and Bina had at least one child, a son Wayne Lewis, born Oct. 9, 1929, died Sep. 24, 1999.  Troy was born Mar. 4, 1906 in Watauga Co., and died Apr. 18, 1995 in Thomasville, Davidson Co., NC.

Lottie Merle, born Feb. 12, 1912 in Caldwell Co., died May 3, 1998 in Culpeper, Culpeper Co., VA.  She married Ralph James Moore on Jan. 21, 1928 in Watauga Co.  Ralph was born Apr. 4, 1908, a son of Wiley Hill and Ellen Hodges Moore.  After Ralph died, Lottie married Herbert Hensley who also preceded her in death.

Cora Lee, born Oct. 18, 1914 in Caldwell Co., and died there on Dec. 31, 1990.  She married Earl Boyd Miller, a son of Daniel Lafayette and Emma Coleman Miller, in 1932, Caldwell Co.  Earl was born Dec. 24, 1911 in Caldwell Co., and died in Hudson, NC on Oct. 15, 2006.  Earl was buried at Mt. Zion Baptist Church Cemetery in Hudson.  Cora is also presumed to be buried there.

Ruth, the sixth child, was born Dec. 31, 1916 in Caldwell Co.  she married Edward R. Cook on Aug. 29, 1936 in Watauga Co.  No further information is known.

It is not clear to me where the other children in the family were when this family-style photo was taken.  Because the first six children were only girls, the children in the photo have to be:

Frank E., on the right, born c1919

Boyd Ray, on the left, born Mar. 26, 1923.  Boyd married Mary Elizabeth Hayes.

Margaret Allena, the "babe in arms," born Apr. 7, 1926, died Feb. 10, 1990.  Margaret married John Wellington Ford on Jul. 12, 1941 in Watauga Co.  John was born in North Carolina on Jan. 8, 1925 and died in Lenoir on Sep. 7, 1980.  According to his obituary, John was buried in the Ford Cemetery in Caldwell Co., white Margaret was buried in the Bolick Family cemetery in the Globe, Caldwell Co.  There were at least two children born to them:  John, Jr., born Sep. 20, 1945, died Dec. 9, 1996; and Della Mae, born Dec. 23, 1947, died Mar. 12, 1995.

Please contact me to add to or to correct any of this information.

The headstone and church photos are courtesy of Connie Coffey Dorsey.  The Roby Coffey family photo is courtesy of Margaret Coffey Farley.

Philip Cook

Philip was a son of John Lewis and Mary Anna (Polly) Coffey Cook. Mary Anna was the daughter of Lewis Moses and Delilah Turpin Coffey.

Click on this blog title to read about John and Mary.

Philip was born in Indiana in Jan., 1851 and died Apr. 19, 1924 in Logan Co., KS. He married the widow Lucinda O'Neal Gant on Dec. 25, 1871 in Harrison Co., MO. Lucinda has been previously married to Columbus Gant with whom she had two children: Decatur, born c1866, and Mary, born c1868. Columbus is thought to have served Iowa on the Union side during the Civil War. The Gant family can be found in the Aug., 1870 Federal census for Wapello Co., IA.

I first find Philip and Lucinda in the 1880 census for Buffalo Twp., Cloud Co., KS. They apparently were on the move because they were again enumerated that year in Phillips Co., Walnut Twp., KS. In 1900 they were still in Phillips Co.

Philip and Lucinda's children were:

Sarah Ann, born Missouri, c1870
Jacob, born Missouri, c1874
George Martin, born Cloud Co., KS, Feb. 1880
Lora Jane, born Missouri, Jul., 1885
Lawrence Motis, born Missouri, Dec., 1888
Clarence Marshall, born Missouri, Jan., 1892
Ollie Arthur, born Harrison Co., MO, Sep. 26, 1893, died Dec. 1, 1955in Okanogan Co., WA
Bertha May - no info
Maude Francis - no info


Please contact me with additions and/or corrections at the e-mail address below.

The John Lewis Cook and Mary Anna (Polly) Coffey Family

John Lewis Cook was born in Lincoln Co., NC on Jan. 14, 1823 and died Jan. 27, 1883 in Eagleville, Harrison Co., MO. He and Mary Anna (Polly) married in Morgan Co., IN on Dec. 15, 1842. She was born Dec. 13, 1824 in Pulaski Co., KY, the daughter of Lewis Moses and Delilah Turpin Coffey. Polly died Nov. 23, 1878 in Harrison Co.


John and Polly were in Morgan county at least until the mid-to-late 1850s. Their first four children were born there. By the time of the 1860 census in June, the family was in Harrison Co., where they remained until death. Both are buried at the Hoffman/Hobbs/Edwards Cemetery in Harrison Co.


Over their 40+ years of marriage John and Polly became parents of 11 children, seven boys and only four girls.


They were:


Catherine, born 1843 in Morgan Co., IN and died Apr. 22, 1895 in Harrison Co. She married William Asberry Lack c1860. He was born Feb. 7, 1837 in Illinois and died Mar. 13, 1910 in Harrison Co. They are buried in the Hobbs Chapel Cemetery at Ridgeway in Harrison Co. I know of one child, Nancy Missouri, born 1862, died 1940. Nancy married James Buchanan Cook, born 1857 in Clark Co., IL, died 1927 in Harrison Co.


Nancy Ann, born 1846, married Daniel B. Miller.


John Lewis, Jr., born Jul. 27, 1848 in Martinsville, Morgan Co., IN and died Jan. 31, 1924 in Ridgeway. He married Sarah Margaret Riffen, who died Nov. 30, 1927 in Harrison Co.

Update Aug. 5, 2009

Many of the Cook family are buried at Hobbs Chapel Cemetery at Ridgeway, Harrison Co., MO.  This is the headstone for John, Jr. and wife Sarah Margaret Riffen Cook:

Philip, born Jan. 13, 1850 in Morgan Co., died Apr. 19, 1924 in Logan Co., KS. He married Lucinda O'Neal on Dec. 25, 1871 in Harrison Co. They had at least nine children: Ollie Arthur, Sarah Ann, Lawrence Matis, Bertha May, George Martin, Maude Francis, Lora Jane, Clarence Marshall and Jacob.


Christopher Columbus (Lum), born Dec. 5, 1852 in Indiana (probably Morgan Co.) and died Aug. 24, 1940 in Harrison Co., MO. He married first Rebecca Jane O'neal on Oct. 19, 1873 in Harrison Co. She was born in Indiana c1845 and died in Oct., 1882. His second wife as Jesse Belle Fowler, born May. 27, 1858 in OH, and died Apr. 11, 1892 in Harrison Co. His third wife was Mrs. Sarah Lacy Spurgeon to whom he was married c1903. She was born in Mar., 1843 in Missouri.


Delilah, born Mar. 7, 1855 in Marion, Harrison Co., married Alonzo Hugh O'Neal on Dec. 31, 1873 in Harrison Co. He was born c1851 in Marion. Their children were seven: Aden Lewis, born Mar. 6, 1875, died in Otoe Co., NE; Gilbert, born c1877; Charles, born c1879; George, born c1881; Annie, born c1883; Mary Alice, born Aug., 1886, died Oct. 3, 1957, and Ethel, born c1887.


Jacob Granville, born 1857, married Adelia Josephine Hughes.


William Martin, born 1859, married Mary Alice Gant.

Update Aug. 5, 2009:

Here is William's headstone:

George Washington, born 1862, married Ida Allen Cook.


James Thomas, born 1866, died 1950, married Fidella Florence Best, born 1868, died 1950.


In 1870 Polly's mother, Delilah Turpin Coffey, was enumerated as a widow in the Cook household. According to one source, Delilah died in Morgan Co., IN in 1873. Also in the household that year was Lewis Coffey, Polly's brother, age 25 and Susan C. Coffey, age 11. I have not yet identified the parents of Susan. Neither have I found the family in the 1880 census.


Please contact me with additions and/or corrections at the e-mail address above.

Marion Oliver & Lydia Ruth Edmisten Coffey

Marion Oliver was the twelth of thirteen children born to Thomas Carlton and Martha Ellen Cook Coffey.

Thomas was a son of Jesse Calton and Nancy Raines Coffey, and was born Jan. 1, 1853 in North Carolina. He died in Watauga Co. on Dec. 17, 1915. Martha was the daughter of Thomas D. and Mary Elrod Cook, and was born Jul. 3, 1858 in Watauga Co. She died there on Mar. 25, 1939.

Marion Oliver was born Dec. 15, 1896 in North Carolina and died in Boone, Watauga Co. on Nov. 29, 1995.

His obituary:

Marion Oliver Coffey, 98, of Route 4, Boone, died Wednesday, Nov. 29, 1995, at Glenstone Health Care Center.

He was born Dec. 15, 1896, in Watauga County to the late Thomas and Ellen Cook Coffey. He was also preceded in death by his wife, Lyda Edmisten Coffey; four children; one granddaughter, Martha Fox; and a great-grandson, Matthew Higgins.

Coffey was a retired farmer and a member of Laurel Fork Baptist Church.

Survivors include one son, Bill Coffey of Quaker Hill, Conn.; three daughters, Mrs. E. B. (Eula Mae) Fox and Mrs. David (Nancy) Haas of Boone and Mrs. Stanley (Geneva) Hall of Hudson; 13 grandchildren; 22 great-grandchildren; seven great-great grandchildren; and a number of nieces and nephews.

The funeral is Saturday at the Austin & Barnes Funeral Home Chapel at 10 a.m. with the Rev. Dean Coffey and Dr. Lamar King officiating. Burial will be in the Edmisten Cemetery.

The family will receive friends tonight from 7 to 9 at the funeral home in Boone.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Project on Aging or to Meals on Wheels, 783 West King St., Boone, N.C 28607

He married Lydia Ruth Edmisten on Dec. 30, 1917 in Watauga Co. and raised their family there. They appear in the census record for that county for 1920 and 1930. Both are buried in the Edmisten Cemetery at Perkinsville, Watauga Co.

They were the parents of at least eight children:

One child, a son, was born Jun. 16, 1919 and was apparently still born.

William Ray, born May 27, 1920, died Nov. 10, 1996. William married Amanda Hortense Wood, a daughter of Walter Raleigh Wood. She was born in Ashe Co. in 1920. It is believed that Amanda is still living somewhere in North Carolina.+ Their children were: Wanda, William, Jr., Sharon, Debra and Sheila.

His obituary:

William Ray "Bill" Coffey Sr., 76, of Quaker Hill, Conn., formerly of Watauga County, died Sunday, Nov. 10, 1996, at the residence.

He was born May 27, 1920, in Blowing Rock to the late Marion Oliver and Lyda Ruth Edmisten Coffey.

Mr. Coffey was a retired employee of Electric Boat as a sheet metal trade worker. He was a member of the Electric Boat Athletic Club Baseball League.

Survivors include his wife, Hortense Amanda Wood Coffey of the home; one son, William Ray Coffey Jr., of Ledyard, Conn.; four daughters, Mrs. Frank (Wanda) Reid of Hudson, Mrs. Don (Sharon) Beck of Waterford, Conn., Mrs. Joe (Debra) Paskwich of New London, Conn. and Mrs. Bill (Sheila) Muscella of Lebanon, Conn.; three sisters, Mrs. E. B. (Eula Mae) Fox and Mrs. David (Nancy) Haas, both of Boone, and Mrs. Stanley (Geneva) Hall of Hudson; 10 grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren.

The funeral is Friday at 11 a.m. at the Austin & Barnes Funeral Home Chapel in Boone with the Rev. Joe Paskwich officiating. Burial will be in the Coffey Family Cemetery, George Hayes Road, Boone.

The family will receive friends Friday from 10 until 11 a.m. at the funeral home.

+According to Bill Muscella, Amanda's son-in-law, she has lived in Quaker Hill, CT for some time. This update from an e-mail to me dated 8/13/2016.


John Robert, born Aug. 12, 1922

Marion Audra, born Oct. 6, 1924

Sadie Ruth, born Mar. 4, 1926

Eula May, born May 4, 1929. She married Everett Burton Fox, Jr., son of Everett and Texie Creola Adams. Everett, Jr. was born Mar. 15, 1927 in Watauga Co., and died there on Jun. 18, 2003. Their children were: Martha, Everette III, Charles and George. Eula May is thought to still be living somewhere in North Carolina.

Geneva Fay, born Sep. 17, 1931 in Watauga Co, married Stanley Hall on Mar. 21, 1953 in Watauga co. I do not have any additional family information.

Nancy Ellen, born May 16, 1934, married David Perry Haas. They had at least two children: David Bryan and Timothy Oliver.

Additions/Corrections can be submitted using the e-mail address below.

Stewart Blaine Hayes (1891-1980)

Stewart Blaine Hayes was born Mar., 1891 in Watauga Co., and died May 21, 1980 in Boone, Watauga Co. He was a son of John Edward and Celia Alice Trivette Hayes.

He married Esther Cornelia Coffey, a daughter of Thomas Carlton and Martha Ellen Cook Coffey on Dec. 24, 1911 in Watauga Co. Esther was born Dec. 9, 1891 in Blue Ridge Twp., Watauga Co., and died Feb. 1, 1936 in Watauga C.

Thirteen children were born to this union:

Carl Marion, born Nov. 15, 1912, died Jun. 21, 1979. He married Emma Jane Coffey on Oct. 6, 1934. Emma, a daughter of Walter Gwyn and Julia Hayes Coffey, was born Apr. 4, 1915 and died Jul. 15, 1988.
Wilma Roxanna, born c1914
Lucy Faye, born Sep. 4, 1915
Stella Mae, born Mar. 31, 1917
Ray Donald, born Nov. 5, 1918
Gladys Isabell, born Nov. 4, 1920
Thomas Blaine, born Jul. 26, 1922. He married Mildred Coffey, a daughter of William Jefferson and Elsie Mae Hodges Coffey. She was born May 16, 1919.
Vera Alice, born Jul. 10, 1924
Doyce, born Mar. 15, 1926
Snow Ellen, born Jan. 31, 1928
Addie Verlee, born Jan. 9, 1930
John Edward, born Nov. 2, 1931
Unnamed, born Nov. 28, 1934

Following Esther's death in 1936, Stewart married Vergie Moody Danner, a widow with twelve children of her own.

Please send additions and/or corrections to me at the e-mail address below.

DVM George Hamilton Hayes

George Hamilton Hayes, born Jan. 5, 1868 in Watauga Co., NC, married Rosa Ethel (Rosie) Coffey on Aug. 4, 1909 in that county. Rosie was the daughter of Thomas Carlton and Martha Ellen Cook Coffey. She died in Watuga Co. on Jan. 2, 1940. George died there on Aug. 23, 1953.

Before his marriage to Rosie, he was married to Mollie Moody in 1879. Together they had two children: Roby Harvey, born Nov. 25, 1890, and Thomas W., born May 23, 1893. Molly died in Watauga County in 1906.

Six children were born to the union with Rosie:

Texie Verlee, born Sep. 6, 1910
Joseph Ransom, born Sep. 10, 1912, died Feb. 13, 2005
Doris Perry, born Jun. 3, 1915
William Arthur, born Feb. 17, 1918
Glenn Lawrence, born Mar. 18, 1920
Julia Helena, born Jan. 12, 1928

Following Rosie's death in 1940, George married Alice Taylor. There are no known children from this union.

In 1907 George became a Doctor of Veterinarian Medicine and was the first man to be licensed to practice veterinarian medicine in Watauga Co. where he practiced for 45 years.

Thomas Carlton, born Jan. 1, 1853 in North Carolina, died Dec. 17, 1915, was the son of Jesse Calton and Nancy Raines Coffey. He and Martha Ellen Cook were married Nov. 14, 1875 in Watauga Co. Martha was born Jul. 3, 1858 in North Carolina and died Mar. 25, 1939 in Watauga Co. She was the daughter of Thomas and Mary Elrod Cook.

Please send additions and/or corrections to me at the e-mail address below.

Rose Etta Coffey

Rose Etta Coffey was the daughter of William Perry and Mary Ellen Wemple Roark Coffey. She was born Jan. 14, 1899 in Newport, Jackson Co., AR, and married Clarence Elwood Woods on Aug. 6, 1911 in Nowata Co., OK. Clarence was born Oct. 21, 1890 in Jaqua, CO, and died Mar. 2, 1948 in Los Angeles Co., CA.

There were at least 9 children born to Clarence and Rose Etta:

- Elmer Clarence, born Jun. 3, 1912, died Apr. 15, 1915
- Glen Walter, born Aug. 9, 1914
- Grace Margaret, born Aug. 27, 1916, died Feb. 20, 1987
- Bruce Howard, born Dec. 30, 1919
- Lula Ellen, born Jul. 7, 1922, died Oct. 20, 1977
- Donald Woodrow, born Jun. 9, 1924
- Elizabeth Ruth, born Sep. 1, 1926
- Bernard Vernon, born Jul. 18, 1929
- Barbara Rose, born Mar. 29, 1933

Rose Etta is said to have also married James Cook, but I have no information. She died Sep. 6, 1961 in Eureka, Humboldt Co., CA.